The dictionary defines a journey as an act of traveling from one place to another. This would seem to imply a start and an endpoint. For me, as an artist, there really is no ending to my travels. There is always something new to learn, new products to experience and new techniques to discover. That is why I don’t consider myself on a journey when it comes to my art, but rather, I feel I am on an exploration or adventure.
Explorations take us to unfamiliar territory which is how I felt when I first started working in pastels. Meanwhile, an adventure is an exciting experience, often bold, sometimes risky, which is how I tend to look at my time since I first started working with pastels and how I think of what lies ahead as I continue on the path of the pastel medium.
It has been exciting to learn new techniques, to see how pastels themselves have progressed. When I first started there were only a couple of offerings and brands, but over the past several years there has been an explosion of companies, good companies like Unison, now manufacturing pastels. Likewise, the papers, boards, substrates upon which we lay down those wonderful strokes of color has evolved, providing a much wider selection in what is available to provide all kinds of interesting effects. The boom of pastel societies around the globe, workshops from so many talented pastel artists, as well the biannual IAPS convention are now the norm to pastel artists vs the exception.
In my adventure, I have been forced to be bold and risky by putting my own artwork out there in shows, galleries, online, for others to see; critique. We all know as artists it is never easy to bare one’s soul, which is what we do each time we create a painting or put ourselves and our artwork on display. But it must be done. Doing so has brought me here, as an Associate Artist of Unison Colour. We must be bold and take risks if we wish to progress and have our artistic voice heard.
Yes, an adventure is never ending. Becoming an Associate Artist of Unison Colour is the latest exciting, bold step in my artistic adventure. It is one that I cherish and welcome, together, an adventure of new and wonderous stories.
7 Responses
Very nice Jeff. May your adventure continue to amaze and inspire. Your insights are thought provoking and apply to much more than art.
Buoys on the wood is an extraordinary piece of genius and so inspiring! I am glad to be old with limited horizons and time to spare to “scribble” with pastels discovering the fun of putting on paper what is in my heart, encouraged by others generously sharing their gifts and advice,
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
How beautiful.
As a new to art person in my late sixties this was a breath of fresh air. An adventure indeed.
I’m so encouraged and delighted to read this inspiring blog.
Agree with previous comments, enjoying your work. 🤓
Here’s to boldness! Enjoyed this blog. Congrats on becoming an Associate Artist.
Very good Jeff my thoughts exactly we are all ways learning, there is not enough time in are life time to fully reach the enlightend hight of Art but at least we can keep trieing.And most of all to enjoy the jurny it take’s us all on.
Jeff, What an adventure you lead so many others and “Artists'” by sharing your amazing stories that go along with such majestic artwork.
Light & love one your greatest admirers.